Young’s latest streaming platform exit follows a pattern of similar protests. In 2022, he removed his music from Spotify over concerns about COVID-19 misinformation being spread on Joe Rogan’s podcast. Curiously, Young returned to Spotify earlier in 2024 after Amazon and Apple also began distributing Rogan’s content, which apparently normalized its presence across major platforms in Young’s view.
Neil Young’s streaming protests reflect his principled stand against platforms he sees as enabling harmful misinformation.
The musician’s corporate boycotts extend beyond music streaming services. Young recently deleted his Facebook and Instagram accounts after reports emerged that Meta’s AI chatbot had inappropriate sexual conversations with children over 13. He also left X (formerly Twitter) following Elon Musk’s apparent endorsement of an anti-Semitic theory, leaving Bluesky as his sole social media presence.
Through his blog, Young encouraged fans to purchase music locally and support small businesses rather than major corporations. His decision to remove music from Amazon was specifically triggered by Jeff Bezos’ support of Donald Trump. Young’s actions may significantly impact his streaming royalties, which represent an important income stream for many modern musicians.
“Take America back,” Young wrote, positioning consumer activism as a patriotic act that could potentially reshape corporate influence over government and personal security.
Despite these streaming withdrawals, Young remains active musically. His June 2025 album with The Chrome Hearts, “Talkin to the Trees,” achieved notable chart positions in Scotland and Austria. For artists looking to maintain visibility while boycotting platforms, playlist submissions can be crucial for discovery and fan engagement. He also recently completed a tour before his upcoming Harvest Moon concert.
Young’s actions highlight the growing tension between content creators and platform owners over political and ethical grounds. His boycotts demonstrate how artists can leverage their content as a form of protest, potentially impacting platform revenues and public perception while encouraging direct artist-to-fan relationships that bypass corporate intermediaries entirely.
